Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Speech

Another symptom of Ataxic CP is the impaired speech. Due to the weak muscles as a result of the disorder, patients often have a problem with sucking and swallowing which can even affect their feeding patterns. However, this improper suction or swallowing can also cause speech impediments. A common misconception surrounding Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Speech is that the individual’s vocabulary and understanding of language is also impaired, which isn’t always true.

Another name for Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Speech is dysarthria. It is a condition in which it is difficult for a person to form words due to either to emotional stress, paralysis, or spasticity of the muscles used in speaking, as found in those with Ataxic CP. While this type of speech can be found in all types of cerebral palsy, it is most commonly found in those with Spastic Cerebral Palsy.